Families are spending more time and money at the grocery store than ever before, comparing prices, quantities and brands as rising inflation causes purchasing stress for many. In situations like this, it’s easy to feel that quick, highly-processed foods with few nutrients are the only affordable options, but financial and nutrition experts from University of Tennessee Extension advise that it is possible to limit food costs without sacrificing health and nutritional benefits.

“Increased prices on the necessities of life challenge the livelihoods of Tennessee families,” says Christopher T. Sneed, consumer economics specialist and assistant professor with UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences. “Prices are forcing many people in both rural and urban areas to reevaluate normal habits of earning, spending and saving.”

Sneed suggests that Tennessee residents first take advantage of any benefits they qualify for, such as WIC and SNAP. Use WIC vouchers for allowed foods and SNAP dollars for foods that cannot be purchased with vouchers. Budget SNAP benefits so that they last for the entire month. Limiting trips to the grocery store can help with this, as multiple trips mean spending more, both in dollars and in minutes.

Before heading to the grocery store, Sneed also advises that shoppers should determine what they have on hand already, create a shopping list and determine how much they plan to spend. Checking for advertised sales, specials and coupons for foods that are already on the shopping list and using a calculator while shopping can help shoppers stick to their budget.

Kristen Johnson, a UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences assistant professor and nutrition specialist, adds that shoppers can compare prices on canned, frozen and fresh fruits and vegetables. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients, are often more affordable, and have longer shelf lives, which leads to money savings and less food waste.

“Look in your pantry, refrigerator and freezer and take stock of what you already have before heading to the store,” says Johnson. “Then, use this information and spend some time to plan the meals you will serve the upcoming week. Incorporate foods that need to be used quickly before they spoil into your meal plan, and then use the meal plan to develop your grocery list for shopping.”

Johnson advises that incorporating a variety of protein foods into your meal plan can help stretch food budgets as well. Items such as canned and dried beans, chickpeas, eggs, peanut butter, canned fish, and both silken tofu and firm tofu are delicious, nutritious and affordable protein foods available in most grocery stores.

For more information on money management or nutrition related topics, contact Mary Parker Draper at the extension office at 615-735-2900. Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.

Cabbage Beef Casserole

1 lb lean ground beef

1 bell pepper, chopped fine

1 medium onion, chopped fine

1 head cabbage, chopped or shredded

1 – 10 oz can tomato soup

Salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning to your taste

Brown ground beef and add pepper and onion about half-way through browning. Cook until vegetables are tender then mix in soup. Place cabbage in casserole dish and pour meat mixture over the cabbage. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Submitted by: Pat Bush, Night Owl FCE Club

October 1st, 2025

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) is proud to recognize George Lancaster, from LaVergne, TN, as its latest TCA Highway Angel for his quick actions and courage following a serious incident on Interstate 24 near South Pittsburg, Tennessee.

On the morning of June 4, 2025, Lancaster was traveling westbound on I-24 when a dangerous situation unfolded in front of him. A Chevrolet Camaro, driving at a very high rate of speed, rode up onto the bumper of another tractor trailer.

“He thought he could get in between me and the truck,” Lancaster said about the driver of the Camaro. “He didn’t make it.”

The car ended up spinning out of control, went up an embankment and rolled backwards, onto the right shoulder. Lancaster immediately pulled over and rushed to assist.

“He was disoriented,” Lancaster said. “He’s lucky he lived; I was shocked, honestly, that the man survived.”

The driver tried to climb out through his windshield, but eventually got out through the passenger side window.  Acting swiftly, Lancaster safely helped guide the disoriented driver and remained with them until emergency responders arrived. He said the driver told police he was driving over 140 miles per hour. Campbell County EMS later transported the injured driver for further evaluation.

Lancaster’s quick thinking and willingness to step in ensured the safety of everyone involved and prevented a dangerous situation from escalating further.

“I was born and raised here in Tennessee; we try to help people whenever possible,” he said. “It’s just the way I was raised.”

Since the TCA Highway Angel program’s inception in August 1997, nearly 1,500 professional truck drivers have been recognized as TCA Highway Angels for exemplary kindness, courtesy, and courage displayed while on the job. Thanks to the program’s presenting sponsor, EpicVue, and supporting sponsors, DriverFacts and Northland Insurance, TCA is able to showcase outstanding drivers like Lancaster.

The TCA Highway Angels website can be accessed at https://www.truckload.org/highway-angel/.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s (TWRA) popular Tennessee Angler Recognition Program (TARP) is closing in on a milestone, approaching 10,000 entries from anglers who have recorded trophy-sized catches in Volunteer State waters.

TARP launched in 2003 to recognize anglers for outstanding sportfishing accomplishments, encourage the catch-and-release of trophy-size fish, promote the continued growth of fishing, and provide the TWRA with valuable documentation and information on large fish caught throughout the state. The program now has 27 qualifying fish species.

Anglers of any age who catch large fish that meet or exceed qualifying lengths may apply. The TWRA Fisheries Division sends these accomplished anglers TARP certificates featuring reproductions of fish artwork by renowned wildlife artist Joseph R. Tomelleri.

TARP features five levels of angler recognition. Anglers submitting one of any of the 27 qualifying fish species that meet or exceed the minimum “trophy” length requirements receive a Trophy FishCertificate, depicting the species: 

• Master Angler I:Anglers submitting five (5) trophy-size fish species, in any combination, receive a Master Angler Level I certificate and patch at no cost.
• Master Angler level II: Anglers submitting five (5) different trophy-size fish receive a Master Angler level IIcertificate and patch at no cost.
• Master Angler III: Anglers submitting ten (10) different trophy-size fish receive a Master Angler III level certificate and patch at no cost. In addition, anglers will receive a gift card courtesy of Bass Pro Shops, Kodak, Tenn.
• Master Angler IV: Anglers submitting fifteen (15) different trophy-size fish receive a Master Angler IV certificate, patch, and a trophy at no cost.
• Master Angler V: Anglers submitting twenty (20) different trophy-size fish receive a Master Angler V certificate, patch, and engraved plaque at no cost.

The TWRA Fisheries Division developed a chart to identify qualifying fish species and their corresponding minimum length limits. Anglers 13 years of age and older must be licensed at the time of the catch. The fish must be caught legally (in accordance with Tennessee Sportfishing Regulations) within Tennessee waters by rod and reel or cane pole. The application must have documentation of the length, provided by either a witness or a photograph. Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the catch.

Since its inception, the TWRA has received positive feedback from anglers on the program’s design, which allows them to work at their own pace and is suitable for all ages. The program’s diverse range of fish species provides anglers with the opportunity to travel beyond their regular fishing spot and progress to higher Master Angler levels. Trophy catches have been reported from nearly 100 different bodies of water, ranging from Bristol to Memphis, including small farm ponds, small lakes, mountain streams, and large reservoirs. For more information on locations to fish, visit the TWRA website’s Fishing section.

TARP provides information on locations that produce more trophies of various species, as well as the best time of year to catch a trophy of a specific species. The TWRA employs other methods to collect scientific data and monitor fish populations. In addition, TARP gives the opportunity for new anglers to learn fish identification and the ideal lengths for what is considered a trophy fish. It also serves as a tool in TWRA’s R3 program (Recruit, Retain, Reactivate).

TARP should not be confused with the Tennessee State Record Fish Program, which recognizes anglers who catch a new Tennessee State record fish (the largest fish recorded, by weight, for that species in the state). TARP recognizes anglers who catch trophy-size fish, by length, that are not necessarily state records.

For further information about TARP and the State Record Fish Program, consult the 2025-26 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Guide or the TWRA website.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.

COOKEVILLE, TN—Today, U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) is standing with the Trump Administration in restoring the ability of Fort Campbell High School students to take part in athletics and other extracurricular activities amid the ongoing government shutdown.

While on a recent visit to Fort Campbell, Rep. Rose learned that Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, including Fort Campbell, were scaling back operations as a result of the lapse in funding. That included halting sporting events and extracurricular activities, including sports practices.

Rep. Rose contacted the White House last week to bring attention to this issue on behalf of the student athletes who have spent months or years in many cases preparing for this sporting season, including the Fort Campbell High School Football team.

Rep. Rose released the following statement:

“Politics shouldn’t stand in the way of high school athletics—especially when those schools are made up of students whose parents serve our country,” Rep. Rose said. “I applaud the Trump Administration for ensuring DoDEA student athletes aren’t punished by the political theatrics of 44 Senate Democrats, who continue to refuse to do the right thing and reopen the government.”

Background:

On Tuesday, DoDEA released updated guidance that extracurricular activities, including athletics and afterschool clubs, would be considered excepted activities during the current lapse in appropriations.

U.S. Representative John Rose is currently serving his fourth term representing Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and resides on his family farm in Lancaster with his wife, Chelsea, and their two sons, Guy and Sam. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, and White counties as well as portions of Davidson, Scott, Warren, and Wilson counties. Representative Rose is an eighth-generation farmer, small business owner, and attorney.

The Smith County Board of Education met at 5:00 p.m. on September 9, 2025

The live broadcast of this meeting is sponsored by Teresa’s Gifts.

Subscribe to Smith County Insider’s YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on meeting coverage, business spotlights, video features, and more!

The Smith County School Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at the Smith County Board of Education, located at 126 Smith County Middle School Lane in Carthage, Tennessee.

All meetings are open to the public and streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.

You can watch the full meeting below.

Smith County was among several Middle Tennessee communities recognized during a recent ceremony held by the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO). The event celebrated the presentation of more than $1.3 million in grant funds to volunteer fire departments and rescue squads across the region.

Held at the Leslie Town Centre in Cookeville, the ceremony brought together officials, firefighters, and local leaders representing 43 volunteer fire and rescue organizations from across Putnam, Cumberland, Overton, Fentress, Morgan, Scott, Clay, Jackson, Smith, Macon, and Trousdale counties. These grants are part of the state’s ongoing effort to strengthen emergency response capabilities in rural and volunteer-led communities, which often serve as the first line of defense during fires, accidents, and natural disasters.

Smith County’s volunteer fire and rescue teams play a crucial role in protecting residents across both urban and rural areas. The additional funding will help purchase updated safety equipment, improve training opportunities, and support essential maintenance of emergency vehicles and facilities.

Local and state officials emphasized the importance of these grants in sustaining volunteer departments that rely heavily on community support. By investing in these organizations, the state continues its commitment to ensuring that Tennesseans—no matter where they live—have access to timely, effective emergency response services.

This year’s Annual Smith County 4-H Chick Chain Show & Sale was held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. This event was the culmination of six months of hard work and responsibility for 18 Smith County 4-H’ers who completed this year’s Chick Chain project. The Carson Maxwell Livestock Arena at the Smith County Ag Center was packed with supporters and bidders eager to buy some high-quality laying hens.

Through the 4-H Chick Chain, each participating 4-H’er received either 12 or 24 two-day-old baby chicks in early April and was responsible for feeding and caring for the chicks throughout the spring and summer, ultimately raising them to become the outstanding laying hens that were brought to our show. This year, each 4-H’er raised either Black Australorp or Buff Orpington chicks.

We were proud of all of the birds that were exhibited, but two pens deserved special recognition. Charlotte Driver was named Grand Champion, and Everett West was named Reserve Champion. Charlotte raised some exceptional Black Australorp hens, and Everett exhibited an impressive pen of Buff Orpingtons.

Other participants in this year’s Chick Chain Show & Sale were Kylee Allmon, Simon Bowman, Callie Butler, Daisy Chambers, Jay Driver, Aubrey Hicks, Scarlett Hicks, Katelyn Kooken, Willow Lawrence, Ava Martin, Owen Meeks, Kolt Ortiz, Jacob Soucy, Kevin Soucy, Destinee Turner, and Evie Wilson.

At the conclusion of our show, each pen of birds was auctioned off to an eager crowd of close to 20 buyers.

We want to say a special thank you to our judge Johnny Barnes, who is the Agriculture Agent in DeKalb County, and to our auctioneer for the evening, J. D. Driver.

We are also thankful to all of the 4-H’ers, family members, volunteers, community supporters, buyers, and Extension staff who came out to attend this event, purchased birds, and helped us put on another successful show and sale for our local young people who are participating in and learning about agriculture through 4-H.

For further information regarding the 4-H Chick Chain project or any of the many other opportunities that 4-H has to offer the youth in Smith County, call 615-735-2900.

Smith County Sheriff’s Office Santa’s Shoppers

Dear Parents-

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting its annual Christmas program to help assist with Christmas shopping. This event is open to qualified families. All documentation will be verified.

If you would like to apply, please stop by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office on one of the following days: No early registration will be permitted.

Thursday November 20th 4pm-6pm

Tuesday December 2nd 4pm-5:30pm

Please bring the required documents:

• Proof of income
• Proof of residence
• Birth Certificate
• Statement of Benefits (Food Stamp Letter)
• Custody documentation if applicable

If you need additional information, please contact Beth Davis or Heather Maynard at 615-735-2626

Parent or guardian with custody of the child is eligible to apply for assistance.

If selected, you must be able to attend the event on December 16th to receive assistance.